APGA will retain power in Anambra, says Obiano

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Willie Obiano, has said that the party will retain power and intensify its service delivery to the people.

He spoke at the Idemili Day celebrations held at Nkpor. The area is believed to be the stronghold of his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Senator Chris Ngige.

The ceremony was organised to raise funds for the building of a secretariat and a skill acquisition centre. But it became a rally that offered the plaform for Obiano and other candidates to shed light on his manifestos.

Obiano was accompanied by the APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh. But the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, also stormed the ceremony with a large number of supporters.

Despite the absence of Ngige, who hails from Alor, at the event, the community leaders still expressed support for his ambition to rule the state. They said that they would not sacrifice the son of the soil on the altar of politics.

Senator Annie Okonkwo, who was the chief launcher, called for political tolerance among politicians to ensure a peaceful election on November 16. He donated N10 million to the worthy cause.

Senator Okonkwo said the proposed centre will equip the youths with life changing skills and re-directing their energies from kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices.

A community leader, Emeka Nwabueze, an engineer and Information Technology expert, implored the youths to shun evil and embrace value, virtue and hardwork.

He urged them to emulate the governorship candidates by shunning avarice and graft.

Nwabueze recalled that he attended Ogidi High School and rose from his humble begining to become an aide of former United States President George Bush.

Obiano thanked the people for supporting APGA in the last seven years. He urged the people to retain the party in power by voting for him on November 16.

He lauded the developmental programmes of the Obi Administration, assuring that the tempo will be sustained, if elected as his successor.

Obiano described himself as the candidate to beat, adding that other contenders cannot beat his profile.

He called for continuity, saying that APGA, the traditional party of the Igbo, will never renege on its promises to the people.

Dignitaries at the ceremony also included Chief Obiaora Okonkwo, the leader of NzukoIdemili Association, Dr. Emma Emelumadu, who chaired the ceremony, and other prominent indigenes.